(2 of )(PD FILE)

(3 of )hgbrief

Home and garden events: Learn how to plant your own vineyard and more

Following the October wildfires, the Sonoma County Master Gardeners will offer a free program Feb. 1 on “Fire-Safe Landscapes.” They have created a document on “What Can I Do Now,” and it presents steps homeowners can take to make their landscapes more fire resistant. A preview of this document will be presented at the next Valley of the Moon Garden Club meeting. The club’s yearly membership is $20 per person, and guests are welcome at $5 per meeting , that would be credited to a yearly membership. 7 p.m., the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Building, 126 First St. West.

GEYSERVILLE

Best of the vine pruners

Check out the professional skills demonstrated by some of the area’s top vineyard pruners at the 19th Annual Alexander Valley Winegrowers Regional Pruning Contest on Jan. 30. The public is welcome to attend and watch for free. 10 a.m. to noon, Vimark Vineyards, 19500 Geyserville Ave.

SANTA ROSA

Wine or table grapes in your backyard?

Diane Kenworthy will help you make that monumental decision in her free workshop Feb. 10. Kenworthy has been growing grapes professionally for nearly four decades, and she has been a master gardener since 2011, where she is co-leader of the Integrated Pest Management Specialists. If you don’t think you can have a miniature vineyard in your backyard, think again. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., 1717 Yulupa.

HEALDSBURG

Pruning the full gamut of roses

To provide hands-on experience pruning roses, the Russian River Rose Co. is offering classes Jan. 27. Students will get a full demonstration in techniques on all types of roses –– climbers, bushes, shrubs and miniatures –– before they tackle pruning. The fee is $35 for the pruning class and it includes an hour-long propagation demonstration. For gardeners who opt only for the propagation demonstration, the fee is $10. Class participants get 10 percent discounts on all plants. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the class, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. for the propagation demonstration, 1685 Magnolia Drive.

SANTA ROSA

Healthy gardens, a balanced approach

This free workshop Feb. 10 offers a 45-minute presentation with demonstrations and displays on drip irrigation, composts and beneficial insects. It also covers garden practices that are known to prevent pest problems with less toxic chemicals. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Rincon Valley Library, 6959 Montecito Blvd.

ROHNERT PARK

Weed management

DJ DeProspero will give a free talk on the Healthy Gardens Approach to Weed Management on Feb. 10. This will appeal to those who opt for toxic-free gardening. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., Rohnert Park Cotati Library, 6250 Lynne Conde Way.

SANTA ROSA

Fruit tree exchange

The California Rare Fruit Growers Garden Club will offer fruit tree cuttings, scions and expert custom-grafted trees at low cost Jan. 28. The club’s annual exchange is where more than 500 varieties of common, rare and experimental scions and fruit plants from all over Northern California are available. There’s a $5 entry fee and it covers all pruning and grafting classes and here’s the line-up: 10 a.m. Master Gardener Fred Revetria will offer a grafting class; 11 a.m. author Robert Kourik will cover topics including planting, irrigating and fertilizing; and a noon class on pruning fruit trees. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building, 1351 Maple Ave.